In Corinthians Paul instructs us to boast in our weaknesses because it's there that God is made strong. I've been fortunate enough to have come across this scripture because my strengths are too few to mention and my weaknesses to many to count. To be totally honest, the night before I left for South Africa I stopped packing at 3 am and asked myself, "What the heck am i doing? I am just a 20 year old girl and Africa has had its extreme problems since before I was a twinkle in my dads eye." I became doubtful that I'd be able to help and even thought that I may be a hinderance to my fellow missonaries. After a while I had to let it go by saying, "No Guts, No Glory!"
Without a doubt we've faced a lot of difficulties and with God overcame them all, but I believe with all my heart that I've recieved much more than I could ever give and my heart rejoices. I've climbed up several mountains and waterfalls and spent many days in the wilderness. I nearly died twice in the processes, but my breath was taken away by the magic in the mountains. I was nearly attacked by a water buffalo and a baboon when I a had a bag of cheesy crisps in my hand, and bought a sling shot to defend myself. I learned to communicate a bit in Afrikaans, Xihosa, and German. I learned to drive a manuel car and drove it on the left side of the rode without getting in any trouble. Most importantly however, I took my postiton as a watchman on the wall and gave the enemy a bit of his own hell.
Hot doggy, I think this AMAZING adventure was an excellent way of beginning 2009 and the 3rd decade of my life. I have missed you dearly and I'm sooo thankful for your prayers and support.
REMEMBER!!! no GUTS no GLORY.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Month 3
When i was younger i was really into superhero cartoons and comic books. Call me a loser all you want I DONT CARE!! Watching Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles, Batman, Spiderman, Superman, Star Trek and Dragon Ball Z sent chills down my spine. My big brother and I would pretend to be Super Sayens from DBZ, he was Goku and I would be his enemy Vageeta. He would always win because good guys always win, and he was older so I didn't have much say in the situation. In middle school I'd often be caught doodling Superman symbols in my Geography notebook and would often pay the piper.
For the first 2 months of my time here I described South Africa as Bizzaro World and I was Superman. Most of the differences between the two nations are subtle, things like: driving in the right side of the car on the wrong side of the road, people speaking English with a funky accent, and look at me as if i were a martian because of the way i speak. For the most part however, it just like America; people don't say goodbye when they first see you and hello when you leave, but I'm just now starting to feel at home here.
My only justification for feeling the way I felt was I came here with different expectations. I didn't understand the strategy YFC was using to minister to the people here, but after several meetings with my project manager and director clarity came to me. The smothered suffering here is insane. In America, if someone to were to confide in someone that they were raped the other day, the person who was confided in would be very sympathetic, and do everything in their power to make sure something was done about it. Here in South Africa they would say, "Ah shame..." and that's it! The same response would be expected if the news was murder or theft. I got a chance to match up the children and the homes that they live in and i noticed that the children with a serious behavior problem are the ones that live in the "poor lands" or metal shacks. I met Stephanie's mom when i worked with Auntie Sina, and Lisa handing out food to the people in the "poor lands" and understood why Stephanie needs so much attention.
I was concerned about the little amount of actual evangelism we do here in South Africa. I felt as if I were just doing a bunch of social work. Don't get me wrong; we need social workers and i appreciate the hard work that they do, but i just pictured spending my time here differently. I began to lose hope that Kylemore would ever experience the true meaning of Jesus dying on the cross, and my zeal started to fade away. It wasn't very long however, that God intervened and convicted me. I learned to not underestimate what we do here by learning the ways of the Quick-draw Cowboy. There are laws that prohibit us from really tackling schools with the powerful message of Jesus, and even though I think it would be AWESOME to be arrested for talking about my faith in Jesus I know that as soon as i was bailed out my boss would kill me. We have to strategically plan our approach to our projects, and wait patiently for that sweet moment that hundreds of missionaries wait for. Its when the people ask why are we here (UGGHH how i hunger for that moment).... its then where we have to quickly and accurately discharge our magnum of faith to make war upon the enemy that has held these people captive for so many years. I've been so blessed to play a part in several victories. This kind of Secret Agent Evangelism is soooo exciting but takes sensitivity to the Holy Spirit that i can only rely on God for.
Social work?? NOT BLOODY LIKELY. South Africa is still Bizzaro World but our home has become a Fortress of Solitude for the Superhero kids here of Kylemore. If we weren't stationed here hundreds of kids wouldn't have someone to encourage them or play soccer with which is extremely important to the little dudes. God has filled me with new compassion for them and I pray that God with raise them to be forerunners during the dark times ahead. i miss you and love you and know that you're praying with me; God has allowed the me, the planter, to see growth in these miraculous men and women.
Hail to the King.
For the first 2 months of my time here I described South Africa as Bizzaro World and I was Superman. Most of the differences between the two nations are subtle, things like: driving in the right side of the car on the wrong side of the road, people speaking English with a funky accent, and look at me as if i were a martian because of the way i speak. For the most part however, it just like America; people don't say goodbye when they first see you and hello when you leave, but I'm just now starting to feel at home here.
My only justification for feeling the way I felt was I came here with different expectations. I didn't understand the strategy YFC was using to minister to the people here, but after several meetings with my project manager and director clarity came to me. The smothered suffering here is insane. In America, if someone to were to confide in someone that they were raped the other day, the person who was confided in would be very sympathetic, and do everything in their power to make sure something was done about it. Here in South Africa they would say, "Ah shame..." and that's it! The same response would be expected if the news was murder or theft. I got a chance to match up the children and the homes that they live in and i noticed that the children with a serious behavior problem are the ones that live in the "poor lands" or metal shacks. I met Stephanie's mom when i worked with Auntie Sina, and Lisa handing out food to the people in the "poor lands" and understood why Stephanie needs so much attention.
I was concerned about the little amount of actual evangelism we do here in South Africa. I felt as if I were just doing a bunch of social work. Don't get me wrong; we need social workers and i appreciate the hard work that they do, but i just pictured spending my time here differently. I began to lose hope that Kylemore would ever experience the true meaning of Jesus dying on the cross, and my zeal started to fade away. It wasn't very long however, that God intervened and convicted me. I learned to not underestimate what we do here by learning the ways of the Quick-draw Cowboy. There are laws that prohibit us from really tackling schools with the powerful message of Jesus, and even though I think it would be AWESOME to be arrested for talking about my faith in Jesus I know that as soon as i was bailed out my boss would kill me. We have to strategically plan our approach to our projects, and wait patiently for that sweet moment that hundreds of missionaries wait for. Its when the people ask why are we here (UGGHH how i hunger for that moment).... its then where we have to quickly and accurately discharge our magnum of faith to make war upon the enemy that has held these people captive for so many years. I've been so blessed to play a part in several victories. This kind of Secret Agent Evangelism is soooo exciting but takes sensitivity to the Holy Spirit that i can only rely on God for.
Social work?? NOT BLOODY LIKELY. South Africa is still Bizzaro World but our home has become a Fortress of Solitude for the Superhero kids here of Kylemore. If we weren't stationed here hundreds of kids wouldn't have someone to encourage them or play soccer with which is extremely important to the little dudes. God has filled me with new compassion for them and I pray that God with raise them to be forerunners during the dark times ahead. i miss you and love you and know that you're praying with me; God has allowed the me, the planter, to see growth in these miraculous men and women.
Hail to the King.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
month 2
My dear faithful readers,
I hope this blog finds you safe and sound. I guess the saying, "distance makes the heart grow fonder" is true because since I've been here, I've grown to appreciate my friends, family, and my country in ways that i haven't thought possible. Needless to say, i miss you more and more each day. Anywho, in my last post i didn't clarify what exactly i do here in Kylemore so allow me to explain. As mentioned previously, there are three volunteer houses that are in Blouberg, Pinelands and Kylemore. The Blouberg house goes to the SOS orphanage and Visshershok school. They also travel to the farmlands where the extremely poor people live. The volunteers in Pinelands work exclusively in the hospitals where they try to convince women who are considering having an abortion into not having one. They also assist in delivering babies. I really have a lot respect for the volunteers in Pinelands... my old roomies have seen me wig out first hand after watching a live birth and they will assure that it is quite the spectacle. Our job in Kylemore is simply to help Kylemore in any and every way we can.
I hope this blog finds you safe and sound. I guess the saying, "distance makes the heart grow fonder" is true because since I've been here, I've grown to appreciate my friends, family, and my country in ways that i haven't thought possible. Needless to say, i miss you more and more each day. Anywho, in my last post i didn't clarify what exactly i do here in Kylemore so allow me to explain. As mentioned previously, there are three volunteer houses that are in Blouberg, Pinelands and Kylemore. The Blouberg house goes to the SOS orphanage and Visshershok school. They also travel to the farmlands where the extremely poor people live. The volunteers in Pinelands work exclusively in the hospitals where they try to convince women who are considering having an abortion into not having one. They also assist in delivering babies. I really have a lot respect for the volunteers in Pinelands... my old roomies have seen me wig out first hand after watching a live birth and they will assure that it is quite the spectacle. Our job in Kylemore is simply to help Kylemore in any and every way we can.
- There is the Creche which is equivalent to our day care centers. There are approximately 90 kids who attend daily all of them are under the age of five and the creche has four teachers. The children are divided up into two groups in one group you have the babies in the other group you have the toddlers. We help the teachers cook, clean, feed the babies, play with the kids, and make sure they don't choke on anything. Most of the jobs I've had have been working with kids so I can confidently say that working with children can be an adventure, but working with children who cannot understand a single thing that comes out of your mouth...well now, that's a challenge.
- We also go into the High School and Primary school for UCSA or United Christian Student Association. We have 30 minutes in the high School and one hour in the primary school. The high school its more discussion oriented, and in the primary school we mostly teach the kids about the Lord by using dramas and games.
- There is an absolutely beautiful woman who lives in Kylmore. I don't think many people know her last name because everybody (and i mean EVERYBODY) calls her Auntie Sina. Auntie Sina doesn't have much of an education and lives in a very small home in Kylemore. By western standards she wouldn't be one to look up to because she doesn't have much however, instantaneously, I was in awe and loved this woman the moment i met her. Seriously, her loving heart can keep a house warm during a snow storm. She grew up in Kylemore and so she knows everybody by their first and last name, who they're related to, how many kids they have, and a whole bunch of other stuff. We help Auntie Sina make food for the village and distribute the food to the extremely poor. If it weren't for this woman, whom i hope to love like, several hundred people would not eat the entire day.
- As soon as we get home from our projects the kids of Kylemore come knocking on our door. We provide a safe place for them to play, color and read. It really breaks my heart when they ask for food or a bath because we aren't allowed to give them either, but whenever we have water games in the garden we are sure to give them a good scrubbing.
- We also started a cell group for the older teens where we are hoping to breed men and women who will have an intimate and dynamic relationship with God.
Living in Kylemore is very rewarding but it can also be quite challenging. Even though I can come off as an introvert I'm not necessarily a private person so the fact that i live with 8 other women isn't a problem (except for when i really need to use the restroom). The fact that we are always around the people that we're ministering to is the tough part, and the best part because it really keeps me in check. I have also invited several of the older kids into my little world so they can have an idea of how to try to live a life of worship. There are times when something may happen and I become frustrated or afraid even, and if I'm not careful I can say something that I might regret later.
Since my last blog we've had 2 girls from Holland join our family named Corieka and Anita, and within a week or so we also had Simone from Germany go back home. Benjamin and Emily from Pinelands and Blouberg are also going back to Germany today, and on Saturday I'm going to say goodbye to Ben F. or "Lumberjack" from England. I am quite clumsy, but it just seems as if my clumsiness was concentrated on this poor Englishman: on our trip to the mountains i burned Ben's expensive mountain boots, he reluctantly let me borrow "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis (which is now one of favorites) and i spilled chutney sauce on it. Its a good thing i didn't live with Lumberjack Ben because I would have probably ruined a lot more of his stuff. I didn't think saying goodbye to the people i'd meet would be that difficult, but my eyes were red with sadness the last time I gave Simone a hug (Simone if you're reading this don't worry; I'll come visit you in a few years).
I think the Kylemore house is a perfect fit for me; I tell jokes that I'd usually keep to myself in America, and seriously, I find it surprising that my roommates find me so funny (maybe I have a thing with Germans, English folk and Dutchies). I am so blessed to live here and I often ask God what have i done to deserve to be around such beauty. Thank you so much for including me in your prayers, rest assured you are in mine. In my last blog i mention Eban who fell of a cliff, he's back to his funny jokes calling me a geek and stuff and his face is healing very well. Praise God.
Brittany, Savy, Justin I already told you that only the grace of God is keeping me here. i love you so much and I'll be calling you soon so pick up the phone =].
ps i'll be posting new pics and videos soon.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Kylemore
My dear friends,
Words cant express how much i miss you. I've learned many things over the past couple weeks one of which is that i am not much of a writer proper spelling is too much of a hassle. Even my journal consists of only short prayers of thanksgiving. Over the past couple weeks we have been in training. Part of our training was spent in the Hottentots Holland Mountain Reserve, there we grew closer to God and to one another. Without a doubt i reached a new level of intimacy with God even though i almost passed out on our 11 km hike up the mountain. I experienced what David meant when he wrote about 'being led to still waters' and have been exposed to an inner peace that i will keep with me for the rest of my life. Anywho, there are three volunteer houses. One in Blouberg by the beautiful beach, and another in the city called Pine lands. I have been blessed to live in a village called Kylemore in the mountains. I live with 7 other girls 5 germans and 2 English women. They have become my comrads and my sisters. Even though we have been in training for the past couple weeks doesn't mean we haven't been working; we live in the village that we'll be working in. I often wake up at 8 am (if not earlier) to joyful 6 year old children screaming, "IRMELAA!!!!! come here." The older kids come over later in the afternoon. People who live here come could be categorized as middle class to extremly poor. There is a really cool yellow house down the road that Corne lives in, but Stephanie lives in a metal shack on the other side of the village. For the most part things have been running smoothly. The few unsettling things that have occured have truly been unsettling but my fellow volunteers and i are unharmed and healthy besides a few scratches we got when we were in the mountains.
Here's a few unsettling things that happened so that you can have a better understanding
Words cant express how much i miss you. I've learned many things over the past couple weeks one of which is that i am not much of a writer proper spelling is too much of a hassle. Even my journal consists of only short prayers of thanksgiving. Over the past couple weeks we have been in training. Part of our training was spent in the Hottentots Holland Mountain Reserve, there we grew closer to God and to one another. Without a doubt i reached a new level of intimacy with God even though i almost passed out on our 11 km hike up the mountain. I experienced what David meant when he wrote about 'being led to still waters' and have been exposed to an inner peace that i will keep with me for the rest of my life. Anywho, there are three volunteer houses. One in Blouberg by the beautiful beach, and another in the city called Pine lands. I have been blessed to live in a village called Kylemore in the mountains. I live with 7 other girls 5 germans and 2 English women. They have become my comrads and my sisters. Even though we have been in training for the past couple weeks doesn't mean we haven't been working; we live in the village that we'll be working in. I often wake up at 8 am (if not earlier) to joyful 6 year old children screaming, "IRMELAA!!!!! come here." The older kids come over later in the afternoon. People who live here come could be categorized as middle class to extremly poor. There is a really cool yellow house down the road that Corne lives in, but Stephanie lives in a metal shack on the other side of the village. For the most part things have been running smoothly. The few unsettling things that have occured have truly been unsettling but my fellow volunteers and i are unharmed and healthy besides a few scratches we got when we were in the mountains.
Here's a few unsettling things that happened so that you can have a better understanding
- we got into a car accident.
- theft in this country is INSANE ben's laptop got stolen and he lives in Blouberg which is in the upper class neighborhood.
- a few of my roomies went hiking in our mountain with a couple of the kylmore kids. Eban fell 18 meters into the river below. He went into shock and lossed a lot of blood. The doctors simply patched him up and sent him home. He's having surgery on his face today.
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